3 Things to Expect When Buying a House with Solar Panels

Solar panels are continuing to gain popularity amongst homeowners as the world becomes more eco-conscious. However, people usually install them on their roofs for many different reasons. Some homeowners care about their monthly bills. Others are die-hard environmental evangelists. What if you are inheriting solar panels on a home you just bought? That does not mean your financial dreams will be wrecked, and maintenance will become a daily activity. Actually, it’s quite the opposite if you own the solar panels instead of leasing them.

The very first thing you must confirm is the system’s ownership status: Is it owned outright, or is it attached to a lease or a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)? The three benefits below apply almost exclusively to homes where the solar system is fully paid off and owned.

Here are three big things you should expect when buying a house that’s already decked out in solar.

1. Savings Depend on Where You Live

Lowering a monthly utility bill is one of the biggest drivers for people when installing solar on their homes. Who doesn’t want to save money, especially when things continue to get more expensive? Yes, solar can do some positive damage to your electricity costs. But here’s the little detail that doesn’t always make the headlines: how much you save depends massively on your location and the specific utility buy-back program you are enrolled in.

If you’re in California, Arizona, or Nevada, there are even more sunrays to capture. Energy bills can be even smaller at times in these areas. On the flipside, if you live somewhere like Seattle or Maine, where the sun plays hide-and-seek for half the year, the savings won’t be as dramatic. You may not completely break even. Still, even in cloudier climates, solar panels do their job.

For example, Germany, which isn’t exactly a tropical paradise, has been one of the leaders in solar adoption for years. Panels don’t need constant blazing sunshine; they just need daylight. It’s more about consistency versus perfection.

Back to the United States, depending on which state your house is in, you can benefit from Net Metering or Net Billing. This means when your panels overproduce energy (picture a perfect summer day where your house is basically a little power plant), the excess electricity gets sent back to the grid.

However, favorable 1:1 Net Metering (where you get full retail credit for every kWh sent back) is being phased out in many states. It’s critical to understand the local Net Billing program, which often pays you a much lower wholesale rate for that excess energy. 

You still receive valuable credits, but they may not cover your entire bill at the retail rate. If you’re buying a solar home, pay attention to both the climate and the local utility rules. They’ll shape your savings story in a big way.

Once winter comes and the sun is less generous, you’re getting credits that you can apply to your bill! This is a huge benefit for homeowners who have solar in places that experience dark winters. If you’re buying a solar home, pay attention to both the climate and the local utility rules. They’ll shape your savings story in a big way.

2. Warranties Are Better Than You Expect

Many homeowners believe that solar panels are delicate. Will one hailstorm or one rogue baseball from the neighbor’s kid take out your entire stock of panels? Thankfully, these things are built tough. Because of their durability, the warranties on solar panels are typically very good.

Most systems come with 20 to 25-year solar equipment warranties. They can cover the equipment itself and the performance. That means manufacturers aren’t just saying, “We’ll replace it if it cracks.” They’re also saying, “We guarantee this panel will still be producing, say, 80–90% of its original power output after two decades.” That’s a huge deal.

The kicker? If the system is owned outright, the warranty often transfers to you. Even though you weren’t the one to invest in those panels originally, you still reap the protection. Imagine moving into a home and suddenly having a 20-year energy warranty handed to you like a housewarming gift. 

This makes the transition of buying a new home, and all that comes with it, much smoother. If the system is a Lease or PPA, you are inheriting the contractual payment obligation, not just the benefit of the physical warranty, so read those documents carefully.

Thankfully, panels are surprisingly low-maintenance. They’re not like cars that need constant oil changes or even like a water heater that might conk out in ten years. Solar panels mostly just sit there doing their thing. If you’re in a particularly dusty area, you might hose them down once in a while (or hire someone to clean them). Otherwise, they’re normally quiet and reliable. On top of these benefits, the warranty will (usually) have your back if something does go wrong.

3. It Will Increase The Value of Your Home

A home with solar panels isn’t just about saving on your utility bill. You can also dramatically boost your property value. Solar panels make a home stand out, especially when other competing properties don’t have them. This can be the difference maker between a buyer making you an offer or not.

More and more people see solar as a must-have feature, not just a nice-to-have. Real estate studies back this up, too. Homes with solar tend to sell faster and at higher prices than those without.

Will this trend change anytime soon? Most likely no. Energy costs are only going one direction. Up. Which means the longer you own a home with solar, the more valuable those panels become. What felt like a cool bonus today might feel like a financial lifeline in ten years when utility bills are through the roof.

The benefits of solar don’t stop there when it comes to adding value to a property. Knowing your home is less dependent on fossil fuels is a huge appeal for some. That peace of mind has its own value. You’re not just thinking about yourself, you’re contributing to something bigger.

Solar Panels are a Game-Changer for Homes

Buying a house with solar panels is like being gifted a head start on a more balanced, future-friendly lifestyle. Yes, the savings will vary depending on where you live. However, the benefits of transferable warranties, lower maintenance than most appliances, and the property value bumps make it worthwhile. Don’t shy away from houses that have solar panels when shopping for your next one.

And beyond the numbers, there’s a subtle shift too. Owning a solar home feels different. It’s like the house itself is working with you, not against you. This isn’t always true for primary residences. Start creating a more sustainable, intentional way of living through the next home you buy with solar panels.

Author Bio:

Alex Capozzolo is a real estate entrepreneur, investor, house flipper, and realtor who has been writing in the space for over half a decade. He loves diving deep into the technology side of real estate and what powers it. In his free time, he enjoys surfing and hiking.